On the outskirts of Doom Fortress, a green energy shield suddenly sprang to life, enveloping everything within several kilometers.
The surface of the shield rippled with faint energy waves, resembling a transparent film. As the energy moved across the vegetation on the ground, the plants shivered slightly, as though sensing the overwhelming power radiating from the barrier.
Leaves quivered gently, flowers swayed, and grass blades undulated. This subtle movement carried an aura of mystery, instilling a faint sense of dread in the creatures nearby.
Something significant was about to happen.
Beyond the shield, a hundred meters away, a blinding white light pierced the darkness, accompanied by swirling energy particles that shimmered like ghostly flames.
"Woo..."
A massive zombie bulldog slowly emerged from the white light. Its bloated, grotesque body was covered in tattered fur, oozing with festering wounds and dark, viscous blood. Its eyes were a sickly red, radiating an insatiable hunger.
The zombie dog's enormous maw gaped open, revealing jagged teeth stained with crimson. Dried blood streaked its lips, forming gruesome red lines. Deep in its dark throat, a fragment of white bone was barely visible.
"Patience, Lockjaw," a pale hand extended and gently patted the zombie dog's head. "Soon, we'll have more flesh than you can eat."
The zombie dog, named Lockjaw, responded to the touch by swallowing the bone fragment whole. It nuzzled the hand affectionately, letting out a low, almost contented growl. Despite its undead state, there was an undeniable bond between the creature and its handler, a connection that transcended death.
Seeing his canine companion calm down, Black Bolt raised his head and addressed the hundreds of zombies behind him.
"Lockjaw could only get us this far. Doom Fortress has an anti-teleportation device within its walls."
"What if we destroy it?" Luke Cage asked.
Black Bolt stroked Lockjaw, who licked his arm enthusiastically. "Then you'll have no need for Lockjaw anymore."
"Stop asking stupid questions, Cage," snapped Colonel America. Raising his shield, he pressed it against the shield's surface and scraped it hard, sending sparks flying and creating an ear-piercing screech.
"Did you know?" Black Bolt suddenly spoke, the tuning fork on his forehead vibrating subtly. "The beautiful blue city of Attilan on the far side of the Moon was destroyed by my battle with my wife."
"She was infected during a ground mission. Later, she bit Lockjaw and brought him back to the Moon, trying to invite me to the 'feast.' But I... I refused the blessing and shattered her into pieces with my voice. In the chaos, Lockjaw…"
"Your Highness!" Colonel America interrupted sharply. "With all due respect, could you save the tragic backstory for later? Right now, we need to figure out how to breach this shield!"
"Apologies," Black Bolt muttered.
He stepped to the edge of the energy shield, inhaled deeply, and his chest swelled dramatically. Then, with a furious roar, a powerful sonic wave erupted from his throat. The shockwave rippled outward, crashing into the barrier. The ground cracked, rocks were hurled into the air, and even the zombies nearby recoiled in fear, scattering from the sheer force.
The energy shield trembled violently, its surface quivering as if it could shatter at any moment. Black Bolt's relentless sonic assault created deafening reverberations. The shield's energy flickered erratically, its stability wavering.
As the roar subsided and the barrier began to stabilize, the Red Hulk, Blob, and Luke Cage charged forward, slamming into the weakened spot with all their might.
"BOOM!"
The impact resounded like thunder. The energy shield shuddered under the onslaught, cracks spreading across its surface. The relentless battering from the trio widened the fissures until, finally, the barrier collapsed in a burst of shattered energy.
Colonel America pointed toward the fortress with a savage grin. "Charge! Fresh meat awaits us inside! Don't let this opportunity slip away!"
Sabretooth and Colossus surged forward without hesitation, leaping over the remnants of the shield's boundary.
Suddenly, an explosion erupted.
"BOOM!"
Landmines detonated. Colossus was obliterated instantly, while Sabretooth's head was blown off his shoulders, his body nowhere to be found. His decapitated head rolled on the ground, snarling in frustration.
"Quick! Someone find my body! I can still regenerate!" he howled.
The surrounding zombies exchanged uncertain glances. Death muttered, inspecting her sharp nails. "Forget it, Victor. None of us can regenerate anymore. You know that."
She was right. The virus had nullified even the most powerful regenerative abilities, leaving former immortals like Wolverine and Deadpool vulnerable.
From atop the fortress, Noah lowered his binoculars. He had observed everything unfolding below.
"Thor, do you see them?" he asked. "Do what the God of Thunder does best."
Thor's lips curled into a confident smile. "With pleasure."
He spun Mjolnir rapidly, lightning crackling along its surface. A thunderbolt split the sky, crashing into the zombie horde below.
"ARGH! My legs!" Daredevil screamed, his lower half obliterated.
"MY HANDS! THEY'RE GONE!" another zombie wailed, clutching the charred stumps where his arms had been.
"Stop whining!" Colonel America roared. "Sabretooth's just a head, and he's not complaining!"
"Actually, I'm not okay," Sabretooth interjected.
"Shut up!" Colonel America snapped. "Juggernaut, lead the way. Clear out anything that might explode. Flyers, take to the skies and distract their defenses. The rest of you, follow me!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Juggernaut, Colossus, and Luke Cage charged ahead, their toughened bodies shrugging off explosions. Behind them, the remaining zombies advanced under Colonel America's command.